christmas for millions of americans. a winter storm system moves east just in time to disrupt the it could be a white christmas for millions of americans. a winter storm system moves east just in time to disrupt the holidays. the gun control debate heats up in the wake of the sandy hook shooting. gun rights advocates push back to restrict firearm sales. >> it's not going the make any kid safer. we've got to get to the real problem, the real causes, and that's what the nra is trying to do. and thousands raise their voice in celebration of the holiday season. ♪ captioning funded by cbs this is the "cbs morning news" for monday december 24th 2012. good morning. good to be with you. i'm duarte geraldino.

we begin with a major storm that promises a white but treacherous christmas for parts of the midwest and northeast. the storm is expected to get stronger as it heads east. winter weather alerts and advisories are posted from texas to indiana. all this during one of the busiest travel days of the year. jeff berardelli at our yamtmiami station has more. >> well, this is shaping up to be a very stormy week across the united states. now, the good news is during the day today at least it should be fairly quiet. there'll be a small storm in the eastern part of the country producing a little light rain to the south and a little light snow to the north, but the bigger issue is what happens on christmas day. across the southeast, we could be talking about a widespread severe weather outbreak and maybe numerous tornadoes anywhere you see the red here from the eastern parts of texas, mississippi, alabama and georgia. and on the north side of the system, both good news and bad

news, we may see a very white christmas in parts of oklahoma arkansas and missouri. but on wednesday it moves to the ohio valley great lakes, and interior portions of the northeast with over a foot of snow and wind gusts. obviously this is a very big travel week. i'm meteorologist jeff beardelli for cbs news in miami. now, to the debate over gun control. the national rifle association says the best way to prevent school shootings like the one in newtown, connecticut, is to put an armed police officer in every school. tara mergener's in washington with more. tara, good morning. >> good morning, duarte. the nra says guns and police will help stop the next killer already waiting in the wings. it's a controversial idea in the middle of an already emotional and heated debate now raging across the country. hundreds of protesters march aid

cross the brooklyn bridge asking for new gun control laws and there was a demonstration outside a gun shop. >> to allow these guns for no other purpose than to murder and slaughter innocent people and children is insane. >> reporter: fear of gun control laws has made the sale of guns this christmas. >> two weeks ago you could have bought one gun for, you know, $1,400. now it's $2,500, $2,700. >> debate over gun control is just as heated here on capitol hill. the nra, one of the most effective lobbying organizations in washington says it will fight any new restrictions. >> what every mom and dad will make them feel better, when they drop their kid off at school in january is if we have a police officer in that school. >> the reaction to that plan is mixed among the parents we spoke with. >> i think any effort to protect

our children is worth it. >> no, no, we do not want people with guns in our school. >> senator dianne feinstein plans to present a bill banning assault weapon this january when the new congress convenes. the nra points out there was a ban in place from 1994 until 2004. >> it hasn't worked. dianne feinstein had her ban and columbine occurred. >> but other point out there was also an armed guard at columbine. now, rather than creating new laws, the nra says the federal government needs to do a better job enforcing the ones already on the books. duarte? >> thank you, tara mergener, in washington. now, there's just one week left until the fiscal deadline. the president and congress are on holiday break. before he went on break he called for a limited extension on tax cuts for americans. the last best hope for a deal may rest in the senate. yesterday senator lindsey graham said he would vote for a revenue increase including a tax hike, but he doesn't like it.

>> hikes are part of the solution driven by the president but he's going to get tax rate hikes. to my republican colleagues, if we can protect 99% of the americans from a tax hike, that is not a tax increase in my books. >> if there's no deal on new year's day households between $50,000 and $75,000 will see an increase of $2,399. meanwhile households with $5 money,000 $00,000 to 1 mill could see an crease of $3900. overseas an attack on americans in afghanistan. police officers, over 50 have been killed by police and soldiers this year. in syria a british-based human rights group said over 60 people were killed when there was an attack on a backry.

yesterday's air strike was an apparent retaliation for new rebel offensive. elizabeth palmer visited the town in southern syria that's alive with assad regime. >> reporter: conflict has engulfed syria over the past 21 months from one end of the country to the other, but so far it's barely touched the town in southern syria near the border with jordan. the people who live here are a religious group that's allied itself with president bashir al assad. when we arooived in town to meet the governor syrian state media was waiting for it. they're anxious to show care its community showing supporters willing to reinforce the party line, that it's not a civil war but a terrorist campaign by foreign-backed extreme rifts. >> so are you afraid they'll come here to your city? >> of course we're afraid the

governor told me if the countries who support al qaeda and the jihadees don't stop the conflict will come here. so far local authorities have kept it at baby supporting violent crackdowns on the slightest sign of anti-regime protests. the strategy worked because government critics in this community were always a vocal but small minority. it's made sway da an island of calm and a refuge. about 10,000 of the almost half a million people displaced inside syria have been offered shelter by the local government. they're housed in a former summer camp about two miles from the center of town. we escaped here, says this grandfather, to keep our children safe. >> we want peace. >> reporter: this young man speaks for everyone when he says all we want is peace. they've got it for the moment. but with the battle now under way all around the town, this

small enclave of stability looks very vulnerable. elizabeth palmer, cbs news, sway da. back in this country he says idaho center michael craykwa foe said he is deeply sorry for being arrested under the influence. he's a republican. he was arrested after running a red light in virginia. there was no incident. he is a mormon and he is in his third term in the senate. senator daniel inouye was bury yesterday in his native hawaii. more than a thousand people including president obama attended the services. inouye was a winner of the medal of honor and was remembered as a war hero. he was the first japanese-american elected to both houses of congress. inouye died monday. he was 88 years old. and coming up on the "morning news," holiday cheer. children affected by hurricane

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affected by superstorm sandy got early holiday cheer. as marlie hall reports secret santa came to one of ofthe neighborhoods with all those presents and this is a neighborhood hit by superstorm sandy. >> reporter: santa arrived for hundreds of kids still without a permanent home after superstorm sandy. sandy flooded 10-year-old matthew rosenhaus's basement. destroying most of his toys. matthew's mom said it was difficult. >> trying to get new things. the people who have been donating to get stuff have been awesome. >> reporter: joy wong developed this gift-giving charity after she helped her friend clean out. >> her son was throwing out toys and was so emotional about it so upset not understanding what

he might have done to have to have his toys thrown out. the organization received enough donations to fulfill the wishes of 2,000 of some of sandy's youngest victims. some of the kids got their gifts here at this christmas party. 10-year-old michael caprio says christmas won't be the same now that his family lives in a small apartment. >> we used to race downstairs to see the presents. now it's one floor. we can't have our normal everyday thing. >> reporter: but the parents say secret sandy is taking some of the disappointments away. i'm blown away with charity like this. >> reporter: the charity will collect donations all year long to benefit kids in hard hit areas. straight ahead, your christmas eve forecast. and in sports, the seahawks rain on the 49ers' hopes of winning the division for a second year in a row.

happy holidays from kabul, afghanistan. i'm major charlene fuller from dallas, texas. i want to say hi and merry christmas and a happy new year. i'm first class christopher hyde. i'd like to say hello to my son tyler and daughter victoria, my mom and dad and friends in new york kentucky and florida. happy holidays, happy new year. love you. . the enamel starts to wear down. and you can't grow your enamel back. i was quite surprised as only few as four exposures a day what that can do to you. it's quite a lesson learned. my dentist recommended that i use pronamel. because it helps to strengthen the enamel. he recommended that i use it every time i brush. you feel like there is something that you're doing to help safeguard against the acid erosion. and i believe it's doing a good job. happy holidays, happy new year.

[ male announcer ] in blind taste tests, even ragu users chose prego. prego?! but i've bought ragu for years. [ thinking ] wonder what other questionable choices i've made? i choose date number 2! whooo! [ sigh of relief ] [ male announcer ] choose taste. choose prego. ♪(music playing)♪ ♪(music playing)♪ ♪(music playing)♪ ♪(music playing)♪ ♪(music playing)♪ ♪(music playing)♪ here's a look at today's forecast in some cities aro here's a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. new york, afternoon clouds, 41. miami, partly sunny, 77.

chicago, flurries, 35, dallas, partly sunny, 58, los angeles morning shower, 64. time now for a check of the national forecast. a storm developing in the deep south could lead to dangerous weather on christmas day from oklahoma to tennessee. the mid-atlantic could get up to a few inches of snow while the south will see scattered showers and thunderstorms. the west will see calmer weather. on "cbs moneywatch" holiday shoppers say bah humbug and little people make some big money at the box office. erica ferrari is here in new york with more on that. good morning, erica. >> good morning. shoppers packed shopping malls but weren't in the spending spirit. experts say sales were muted because shoppers were not in the mood to shop due to superstorm sandy, the shooting, and the economy.

hong kong's seng heng finished half a fraction higher. tokyo's nikkei was closed. stocks stumbled on wall street and talks stalled on the fiscal cliff. the dow dropped nearly 121 points on friday while the nasdaq fell 29. as americans hit the road for holiday travel they'll be paying let at the gas pump. according to aaa, the national average is about 3.25 cents a gallon for regular. that's down 16 cents from a month ago. "the hobbit:an unexpected journey," took in $27 million. coming in second $16 million. "this is it" took in $14 million. duarte? >> thank you, erica ferrari, here in new york. in sports the seahawks put a damper on the 49ers' plan of winning the midwest. they have a field goal block. it's scooped up by the seahawks richard sherman who brings it

back to 90 yards for a touchdown. seattle blows out san fran 42-13. and the baltimore ravens are the champions of the afc north. the ravens get on the board first with a touchdown grab by tore are smith. baltimore passes the giants for a 33-14 win. when we return, the holiday hit a high note. audiences around the world take part at an annual sing-a-long of a classic. ♪ now i can brew my coffee just the way i love it. how do you do that? well, inside the brewer, there's this train that's powerful enough to carry more coffee and fresh water to make coffee that's stronger and bigger... and even hotter! actually, i just press this button. brew the coffee you love -- stronger, bigger, or hotter -- with the keurig vue.

here's a look at today's forecast in some cities around the country. washington, d.c., afternoon rain, 44. atlanta, thunderstorm, 60. st. louis, clearing skies, 34. denver, afternoon snow, 37. seattle, morning showers, 44. it's a longstanding christmas tradition in new york city where thousands gather to sing a centuries old piece of famous coral music. it's being celebrated to show the holiday spirit. tony guida reports. ♪ >> reporter: all year long people fill new york's avery fisher hall to listen to music. ♪ >> reporter: one night a year

they come to sing. it's a christmas tradition. ♪ >> reporter: 2,000 people strangers, uniting as a chorus to perform one of the most familiar pieces of music in the world, handel's "messiah." martin started the event 45 years ago. he chose "messiah" for its universality. >> it has everything in it you can look forward to. melodic tunes, rich choruses, emotions, joy, introspection, and triumph of the human spirit. >> reporter: no wonder there are messiah sing a longs across much of the english-speaking world.

♪ >> reporter: at the memorial church a few miles from avery hall, the chorus is smaller, but their spirits are just as strong. ♪ >> reporter: this was rena's first "messiah." >> you just feel joy use and overwhelming. >> reporter: josh has been coming for decades as a cure for the wintertime blues. >> i think deep down in our animal spirit we're not sure the light's going to come back and what can bring back life better than music? >> a message of hope, absolutely. amen. >> reporter: amen. [ cheers and applause ]

coming up after your local news on "cbs morning news," bill kr crystal and marisa tomei discuss their new movie "parental guidance." i'm duarte geraldino. this is the "cbs morning news." this is the "cbs morning news." it seems our angels have been busy building a new stronger angel soft®. it's built with two softshield™ layers. stronger, holds up better, and still a value you love. new angel soft®.

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backs. but as veterans, it can sometimes feel like we're all alone. even when surrounded by our loved ones. ♪ ♪ [ woman ] at the veterans crisis line, we understand what you're going through, and we can help. it's your call. ♪ ♪ good morning. i'm jessica kartalija in for don scott. the morning's top head lines in just a minute. first let's head over to marty. >> good morning. let's take a look at how this day is going to square away. your christmas eve is going to have a little bit of rain. the upper 20s to low 30s right now. 41 as a high after a

lunchtime of 39. here's what we have our eye on today the tax credit deadline is just one week away. that means marylanders could miss out on hundreds of dollars of tax savings. >> veterans will receive gifts from the va. >> ravens head coach john harbaugh is expected to hold a news conference today one day after the team clenches the afc north championship. >> already making news this morning, in the wake of the school shooting in connecticut the topic of gun control is hotter than ever. >> an officer shoots and kills a man. wjz is live with what happened. >> the ravens are waking up with the afc north title and the win is a blow out over the giants. more news, first warning weather and your first traffic report of the morning in

just a couple of minutes.

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